26 September 2024

We are delighted to announce that we have been reaccredited as a Veteran Aware organisation by the Armed Forces Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) to recognise our continued commitment to improving NHS Care for veterans, reservists, members of the armed forces and their families.

The accreditation acknowledges the trust’s commitment to a number of key pledges, including:

  • Ensuring that the armed forces community is never disadvantaged compared to other patients, in line with the NHS’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
  • Training relevant staff on veteran specific culture or needs
  • Making veterans, reservists and service families aware of appropriate charities or NHS services beneficial to them, such as mental health services or support with financial and/or benefit claims.
  • Supporting the armed forces as an employer.

Our work to maintain this is ongoing, led by a team of colleagues who are members of the armed forces community themselves.

This is not just a plaque to us; this accreditation represents the legacy of a local gentleman and his family who supported us to achieve this.

Major Tony Moore had a long and distinguished career in the Army serving in among other places Hong Kong, Singapore, Sekong and Germany before settling down in Hampshire where he worked at the Guards Depot as Paymaster. He was the leading light in Army lawn tennis and even played at Wimbledon in the early 60’s.

As Tony battled the impact of a serious stroke which left him paralysed down one side which restricted his mobility, he received support from The British Legion but there seemed to be little help from health care who seemed to have very limited awareness of the additional support available to veterans amongst health care professions both within the Acute and Community settings.

Tony passed away here at Chesterfield Royal as a result of complications from a fall in April 2020. His daughter and son in law Jacqueline and Paul Thefaut were anxious that lessons should be learnt from the experience leading up to Tony’s death particularly in terms of accessing the additional services that were available to veterans.

Claire Lambie, Head of Operations at the Trust and Veterans Assured Management Lead said: ”I am delighted to share the news that we have been reaccredited and would like to thank those throughout the Trust and DSFS who continue to support our veteran colleagues, community and their families. I believe that if we can care for those that gave us today, I feel we are giving something back for their tomorrow, it really does contribute to our mission of exceptional patient care for everyone. I grew up within the military community, both my parents and brother served their nation and am just so honoured to have played my part in securing this. Tony’s legacy lives on at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and I am incredibly proud of that.”

You can find out more here: Veteran Aware :: Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

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